Chapter 2

The preparations for the "Welcome Home Dylan" gala were elaborate.

I threw myself into it, making sure every detail was perfect.

The irony was thick, the charity was for organ donation awareness.

Cassie saw it as a sign of my acceptance, my devotion.

Marc Washington, Sarah' s old journalism mentor and my silent partner in this, fed me information about the guest list, potential vulnerabilities.

The night of the gala arrived, a glittering affair at one of Cassie's downtown properties.

Dylan made his entrance late, swaggering, a smirk plastered on his face.

He looked healthy, disgustingly so, on Sarah's life.

Cassie beamed, guiding him through the crowd.

I watched from the edge of the ballroom.

Later, I found myself near the terrace, needing air.

Dylan appeared, a drink in his hand.

"Well, well, Alex Miller," he sneered, his voice low. "Still playing the grieving brother?"

I said nothing, just looked at him.

"Sarah was a real giver, wasn't she?" he continued, taking a sip. "Right to the very end. Shame she couldn't see me now, thriving."

My hands clenched.

"You know, Cassie worries about you," he said, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Thinks you're fragile. But I know better. You're just... dull."

He wanted a reaction, anything.

I gave him a blank stare.

He laughed, then his eyes scanned the nearby crowd.

A young woman, a junior associate from Davenport Holdings, was passing with a tray of champagne flutes.

Dylan suddenly lurched, bumping into her hard.

Glasses shattered, champagne splashed.

The woman cried out, startled.

"Watch where you're going, you clumsy bitch!" Dylan roared, his face contorted with anger.

Before anyone could react, I stepped forward, placing a hand on Dylan's arm.

"Dylan, calm down. It was an accident." My voice was even.

He whirled on me. "Get your hands off me, Miller! You defending this idiot?"

He shoved me, not hard, but enough to make it look like I stumbled.

Then he raised his voice, for everyone to hear.

"He attacked me! Alex just attacked me! I just got back, and this is how he welcomes me?"

He clutched his chest, feigning pain.

"My heart... I don' t feel well."

A murmur went through the guests.

Cassie was there in an instant, her face a mask of concern, pushing through the onlookers.

"Dylan! What happened?"

"Alex... he just came at me," Dylan gasped, leaning heavily on her.

I stood there, saying nothing, letting them see Dylan's manufactured hysteria.

The perfect setup.